Akindele Owolabi Essays (991 words) - Academic Writing, Free Essays

Akindele Owolabi Essays (991 words) - Academic Writing, Free Essays Akindele Owolabi Jovonne Bickerstaff English 104-25 October 27, 2015 Critical writing The guidelines for what was considered critical writing in the past was very strict. An important reason for this strictness is that writing could not be shared through different mediums. Unlike the limited amount of mediums in the past, today there are a plethora such as social networking sites, blogs, and online articles. Critical writing in the past took much effort because writers then lacked resources such as online databases. One would have to read multiple books to find things that can be used in his or her writing. Because of the effort it took to write such scholarly essays, there were strict guidelines as to what people would have considered critical writing. In the present, however, critical writing has become easier. There are many sources of information, easier citation methods, and less complicated ways to get writing to the public and all of those things can be done on a single device. Because writers don't have to get through a publisher to have their work seen b y others today, important steps that I feel one's work needs to complete in order to be considered critical writing are omitted. Some of those steps include proper citations, lists of works cited, and statements that are defendable with facts. For me, critical writing can be posted anywhere as long as it uses facts from a credible source of information and gives credit to that source in the proper way. The reason being is if those repercussions aren't taken, false information can be given to the public and the public wouldn't We already have that problem, people not knowing what to believe on the internet, and that is because of poor citing of sources. For me its really all about ensuring the fact that correct information is given. The only way to ensure that in my opinion is to basically prove everything that is being said using already credible facts. A perfect example that shows the results of uncredited pieces was the posting of the infamous picture from the million-man march in 1995. Because no one was giving credit to the Photographer and properly citing it, people mistook that picture for one that was taken in the 2015 anniversary. Another incident where incorrect information was given was during the summer of 2015 when Sandra bland was allegedly killed in police custody. The way she died is still is unknown however one day someone decided to post a video of a dead woman getting dragged out of a police car with no proof that it was Sandra bland but still claiming that it was her. This is why citing is important, it prevents false information from being spread. Although I have strict guidelines as to what I consider critical writing, that is not to say I think writing that I don't consider critical should be ignored. The article Can We Stop Pretending That Ben Carson Is Running for President? By Jason Johnson is a perfect example of writing that shouldn't be ignored but isn't considered critical writing to me. To me this article is not considered critical writing because it doesn't have some of the factors that I stated previously. It does not properly cite all sources and does not have a part of the article dedicated to works cited. Johnson states multiple things without having solid facts to defend them or giving credit to his sources. For example, Johnson states "Gingrich, who raised $23 million in his campaign, only to win one primary state. In the meantime, he managed to go to the all-important Hawaiian primary just in time for his wedding anniversary". Although what he states about Gingrich's whereabouts and actions may be facts, I don't see where he got the information on. Johnson goes on to state more stats on different presidents' campaign totals and what they used the money for but we still don't know where he got the information from. That is why I don't see this article and others that are similar to is as critical writing. For quick information although it may not be completely true, I would read the article. A great example of critical writing to me is Writing